My old boss from Clemson (when I was an RA in res life) just accepted a new position at Virginia Tech - heading up their whole housing department. YEAH LEON! Well, actully, a double yeah is in store because he finished his PhD end of last year... so now he's "Dr. McClinton"
Check him out!
http://www.vtnews.vt.edu/story.php?relyear=2007&itemno=355
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Century ride
Do you know what a century ride is?? I didn't. But I do now because I'm doing one the end of September....
A century ride is a 100 mile bike ride (in a day, in case any of you were wondering....) David and I were part of a group that was approached and asked if we'd be interested in training for and riding in a cnetury ride. It's actually a fundraiser for the NY Center for Missing and Exploited Children. David and I figured it's a great way to workout from now through September and it's for a good cause... WHY NOT!!
Well, you don't want to ride 100 miles on a mountain bike. Well, you could, but it would be hard. And let's face it - this is going to be hard enough as it is. I don't need anything working against me. SO, David and I went out and bought road bikes. Yep! NEW TOYS!!
I won't even give an estimate as to how much we've spent on this - as of last night. We have a GREAT bike store close by and we got our bikes there, and a bunch of accessories... and apparently those weren't enough accessories because we were back last night for more... Let's just say that it's in the mutli-thousand-dollar range.... good thing we didn't plan a "real" vacation this summer....
David's bike...
This week commences our first week of "training". I say "training" because it's a ride, not a race. The difference is that on a ride we all ride together at the same, easy pace. They average is about 15 mph. It's completely police-escorted. We ride for about 20 miles, stop at a school, have snacks, get back on a ride about another 20 miles and stop again. The kids come out on the street from school and cheer us on - they will spend the whole month learning about how to keep safe, etc.. and our stop at their school is just part of the pep rally they have earlier in the day to wrap-up the whole safety learning experience.
David and I are looking forward to it. But ask me again after I've done my first 40 mile training ride on july 8th....
A century ride is a 100 mile bike ride (in a day, in case any of you were wondering....) David and I were part of a group that was approached and asked if we'd be interested in training for and riding in a cnetury ride. It's actually a fundraiser for the NY Center for Missing and Exploited Children. David and I figured it's a great way to workout from now through September and it's for a good cause... WHY NOT!!
Well, you don't want to ride 100 miles on a mountain bike. Well, you could, but it would be hard. And let's face it - this is going to be hard enough as it is. I don't need anything working against me. SO, David and I went out and bought road bikes. Yep! NEW TOYS!!
I won't even give an estimate as to how much we've spent on this - as of last night. We have a GREAT bike store close by and we got our bikes there, and a bunch of accessories... and apparently those weren't enough accessories because we were back last night for more... Let's just say that it's in the mutli-thousand-dollar range.... good thing we didn't plan a "real" vacation this summer....
David's bike...
My bike. I have the cool aerobars like David but I just haven't put them on yet...
This week commences our first week of "training". I say "training" because it's a ride, not a race. The difference is that on a ride we all ride together at the same, easy pace. They average is about 15 mph. It's completely police-escorted. We ride for about 20 miles, stop at a school, have snacks, get back on a ride about another 20 miles and stop again. The kids come out on the street from school and cheer us on - they will spend the whole month learning about how to keep safe, etc.. and our stop at their school is just part of the pep rally they have earlier in the day to wrap-up the whole safety learning experience.
David and I are looking forward to it. But ask me again after I've done my first 40 mile training ride on july 8th....
Friday, June 22, 2007
The difference between boys and girls
Wednesday David and I met with our adventure group and did a 20 mile bike ride on the Eric Canal path. After all this time, David still didn't own a pair of padded shorts - a MUST in cycling. Since he had been complaining about his sore butt the last few times we went out ridding I told him just to go buy a pair for the Wed. ride - they're worth it.
So, Wed. afternoon before the ride he bought himself a pair. You know, the "cool boy" kind - padded bike shorts underneath with the loose cargo shorts outside layer.
We're in the car driving out to the canal.
D: these shorts are kinda weird. I've had them on since I bought them.
me: all afternoon?
D: yeah. they weren't too bad at first, but the padding in the crotch is a bit strange to get used to.
me: yeah, now you know it feels to have wear a pad.
D: *silence. no smart ass come-back*
I guess somethings aren't as funny to men as they are to women....
So, Wed. afternoon before the ride he bought himself a pair. You know, the "cool boy" kind - padded bike shorts underneath with the loose cargo shorts outside layer.
We're in the car driving out to the canal.
D: these shorts are kinda weird. I've had them on since I bought them.
me: all afternoon?
D: yeah. they weren't too bad at first, but the padding in the crotch is a bit strange to get used to.
me: yeah, now you know it feels to have wear a pad.
D: *silence. no smart ass come-back*
I guess somethings aren't as funny to men as they are to women....
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
mis-information
You know - I've decided dad's aren't always the pillar of accurate information... case in point:
A few years ago my dad said he heard from someone (he still can't remember who) that my ex-boyfriend from high school owned/ managed a strip club in his town. Now, when I heard this my first thought was "people change. who knew??" I mean c'mon. This was the guy that I had to work for MONTHS to even kiss me! Even then I had to talk him into turning off the lights when we made out!! (apparently he had a previous g-friend that would only kiss him with the lights on -scared of something, I guess. don't know what...)
So for years I'd joke with friends (none of whom are from my town or know this person) that I have an ex-boyfriend that owned a strip club. It was for the effect of a joke - but it did make me secretly feel like a good "dirty girl". Kinda like "I took this innocent, pure boy and turned him into a raunchy, sex-driven man!" Whoo-ho!! Damn I'm good!!
Turns out - not so much. I happened to run onto his little sis on myspce and we started chatting. I had to ask her about the whole strip club thing ... turns out what he does is quite respectable. (damn!!) I was really hoping to have a dirty past...
Turns out he's moving soon to be with his girlfriend. I wonder if he makes her keep the lights on when he kisses her... Nah! He was way past that point by the time I was done with him. *evil grin*
A few years ago my dad said he heard from someone (he still can't remember who) that my ex-boyfriend from high school owned/ managed a strip club in his town. Now, when I heard this my first thought was "people change. who knew??" I mean c'mon. This was the guy that I had to work for MONTHS to even kiss me! Even then I had to talk him into turning off the lights when we made out!! (apparently he had a previous g-friend that would only kiss him with the lights on -scared of something, I guess. don't know what...)
So for years I'd joke with friends (none of whom are from my town or know this person) that I have an ex-boyfriend that owned a strip club. It was for the effect of a joke - but it did make me secretly feel like a good "dirty girl". Kinda like "I took this innocent, pure boy and turned him into a raunchy, sex-driven man!" Whoo-ho!! Damn I'm good!!
Turns out - not so much. I happened to run onto his little sis on myspce and we started chatting. I had to ask her about the whole strip club thing ... turns out what he does is quite respectable. (damn!!) I was really hoping to have a dirty past...
Turns out he's moving soon to be with his girlfriend. I wonder if he makes her keep the lights on when he kisses her... Nah! He was way past that point by the time I was done with him. *evil grin*
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Ah, high school
A friend of mine (the wife of a good high school friend) thought it would be funny to send me some pictures of me that her husband had from high school. As you can imagine I couldn't leave it there. So I found a few of her husband from high school and sent those to her! 
And then while looking up these picutres I found one of another high school friend, Brad (Bradical in myspace). He, he. What's up with the guys having the bowl cuts??
Monday, June 18, 2007
I hate the dentist
Actually, my dentist is a nice guy - but with all the years I've had dentists, orthodontists and surgeons poking at my mouth... well, I've had enough.
Today was no different. I put on my big-girl panties and tried to behave. I have a million idiosyncracies dealing with my mouth and oral hygiene. I won't bore you with all of them, but I'll name a few just so you see what I'm talking about:
- I don't like mint flavor. give me cinnamon, give me citrus, give the kids bubblegum for god's sake - but don't give me mint. It makes me gag. Don't ask, I don't know why.
- every time I rinse I must have a new cup. yep, I'm a one-woman anti-green machine.
- after every rinse I must have a new kleenex to wipe my mouth. hey, c'mon. It eventually composts...
So you get the idea. All the ladies in the office understand these issues (or proabaly feel sorry for me when they see my x-rays) and have decided to just indulge me. Well, not today.
I got the "new guy" today. And I don't mean "new to the office staff". I mean "I just graduated from hygenist school, um, YESTERDAY!" Don't get me wrong - he did a GREAT job. But I'm sitting in the chair and he's scraping my teeth (which reminds me - I forgot to bring in my iPod, because hearing the scraping is another "issue" with me.) scrape........ scrape........ scarpe....
DEAR GOD! PICK UP THE SPEED! I'm going to be here all day! Now, all the other hygenists get the job done, but they get it done quickly. (so the scraping sound inside my brain is over faster...) Not this guy.
Not to mentin that he didn't read all the notes in my chart about my "special needs". I won't even get into that here. Let's just say I had to keep myself from gagging as he was polishing my teeth with, yuck, mint cleaning stuff.... and I had to keep rotating the rinse cup so at least each time I rinsed I wasn't putting my mouth on a part that it had already touched... and luckily in this room they had the kleenex by me so I could grab as many as I needed, whenever...
Actually, I'm not so sure it took him that much longer than the ladies - but he didn't talk. And you know me - either I'm talking your ear off, or in the case of the dentist, I want you to talk my ear off to take my mind off the horrible scraping noises.... He tried a few times, but that's where he just made it all the more obvious he's new to the profession. You know, that uncomfortable I'm-trying-to-talk-a-little-because-that's-what-they-teach-us-in-school,-but-I'm-not-comfortable-doing-it-because-I'm-more-concerned-with-scraping-you-teeth-and-not-your-gums kind of conversation.
Ok, I almost feel guilty for ragging on him like this but this is the one instance I insist on being treated like a diva. If you saw me, a few days after surgery when I was 18, where my face was SO swollen I didn't even have a neck (I'm NOT kidding) and then watch me, ME of all people, on a liquid diet for the next 4-5 weeks... then you'd understand.
Today was no different. I put on my big-girl panties and tried to behave. I have a million idiosyncracies dealing with my mouth and oral hygiene. I won't bore you with all of them, but I'll name a few just so you see what I'm talking about:
- I don't like mint flavor. give me cinnamon, give me citrus, give the kids bubblegum for god's sake - but don't give me mint. It makes me gag. Don't ask, I don't know why.
- every time I rinse I must have a new cup. yep, I'm a one-woman anti-green machine.
- after every rinse I must have a new kleenex to wipe my mouth. hey, c'mon. It eventually composts...
So you get the idea. All the ladies in the office understand these issues (or proabaly feel sorry for me when they see my x-rays) and have decided to just indulge me. Well, not today.
I got the "new guy" today. And I don't mean "new to the office staff". I mean "I just graduated from hygenist school, um, YESTERDAY!" Don't get me wrong - he did a GREAT job. But I'm sitting in the chair and he's scraping my teeth (which reminds me - I forgot to bring in my iPod, because hearing the scraping is another "issue" with me.) scrape........ scrape........ scarpe....
DEAR GOD! PICK UP THE SPEED! I'm going to be here all day! Now, all the other hygenists get the job done, but they get it done quickly. (so the scraping sound inside my brain is over faster...) Not this guy.
Not to mentin that he didn't read all the notes in my chart about my "special needs". I won't even get into that here. Let's just say I had to keep myself from gagging as he was polishing my teeth with, yuck, mint cleaning stuff.... and I had to keep rotating the rinse cup so at least each time I rinsed I wasn't putting my mouth on a part that it had already touched... and luckily in this room they had the kleenex by me so I could grab as many as I needed, whenever...
Actually, I'm not so sure it took him that much longer than the ladies - but he didn't talk. And you know me - either I'm talking your ear off, or in the case of the dentist, I want you to talk my ear off to take my mind off the horrible scraping noises.... He tried a few times, but that's where he just made it all the more obvious he's new to the profession. You know, that uncomfortable I'm-trying-to-talk-a-little-because-that's-what-they-teach-us-in-school,-but-I'm-not-comfortable-doing-it-because-I'm-more-concerned-with-scraping-you-teeth-and-not-your-gums kind of conversation.
Ok, I almost feel guilty for ragging on him like this but this is the one instance I insist on being treated like a diva. If you saw me, a few days after surgery when I was 18, where my face was SO swollen I didn't even have a neck (I'm NOT kidding) and then watch me, ME of all people, on a liquid diet for the next 4-5 weeks... then you'd understand.
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Call 911...
You know - I thought I had grown out of that clumsy stage.... or at least thought it had settled down over the years. Not so. Within 30 minutes I had TWO instances where I thought I might need to go/ came really damn close to going to the hospital. only me....
The first time I was in the kitchen, still groggy from just waking up. I dropped a peanut butter pretzel sandwich (breakfast. what can I say?) on the floor and went to pick it up before Liam, the canine hoover, got hold of it. As I was bending down he started to stick his head in my way and I backed-up/ lifted me head at the same time to get out of his way and WHAM!! smacked the hell out of the back of my head on the corner of the countertop on the island. Damn that hurt!! I was certain I drew blood. but alas, I was fine. (after 5 minutes of cussing and jumping around, of course...)
I finally made it upstairs and got ready for work. Simple outfit - khaki skirt, cute sage green boatneck knit top and cute strappy mules. As I was walking down the stairs I got lazy and didn't pick my foot up all the way... caught my mule heel on the stairs and fell over sideways.
Now most of you are probably "so? grab the railing doofus. that's what it's there for". Yeah, well, you havent' seen my railing. Did I mention it's loose?? I DID fall into the railing. I heard wood snapping... Luckily my "inner goat" (thanks Tiff!!) kicked in and I got back my balance before I broke the railing off and went over the edge with it.
Note to self - move "fix railing" to top of to-so list. I'm certain next time it will completely break off.
The first time I was in the kitchen, still groggy from just waking up. I dropped a peanut butter pretzel sandwich (breakfast. what can I say?) on the floor and went to pick it up before Liam, the canine hoover, got hold of it. As I was bending down he started to stick his head in my way and I backed-up/ lifted me head at the same time to get out of his way and WHAM!! smacked the hell out of the back of my head on the corner of the countertop on the island. Damn that hurt!! I was certain I drew blood. but alas, I was fine. (after 5 minutes of cussing and jumping around, of course...)
I finally made it upstairs and got ready for work. Simple outfit - khaki skirt, cute sage green boatneck knit top and cute strappy mules. As I was walking down the stairs I got lazy and didn't pick my foot up all the way... caught my mule heel on the stairs and fell over sideways.
Now most of you are probably "so? grab the railing doofus. that's what it's there for". Yeah, well, you havent' seen my railing. Did I mention it's loose?? I DID fall into the railing. I heard wood snapping... Luckily my "inner goat" (thanks Tiff!!) kicked in and I got back my balance before I broke the railing off and went over the edge with it.
Note to self - move "fix railing" to top of to-so list. I'm certain next time it will completely break off.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
I'll be damned...
Well, I havent' been posting because I couldn't get into blogger - getting some sort of error. Apparently it was just pissy those days. I changed nothing and here I am!
Speaking of blogger - I'm a bit pissy myself today... Work stuff... I'll be better tomorrow.
My newest hobby is this ancestry.com thing. I'm trying to make a family tree. Y'all will be surprised to know that, despite from being from WV, my family tree DOES branch... a lot....
I traced one relative back to John Smith and Pocohontas... but of course I need to verify the integrity of the info.... but wouldn't it be neat if it turns out to be true???!!! Dad's perplexed because he'd always been told his family didn't come to the US from Ireland until the early 1800's... so far all the info I've found since the mid-1700's still has them being born in Virginia. Story has it that David's great-grandfather was dropped on the steps of an orphanage... so that side won't be able to be traced back too far. (makes my job easier!!)
I gotta run... you know, "real" work to do : )
Speaking of blogger - I'm a bit pissy myself today... Work stuff... I'll be better tomorrow.
My newest hobby is this ancestry.com thing. I'm trying to make a family tree. Y'all will be surprised to know that, despite from being from WV, my family tree DOES branch... a lot....
I traced one relative back to John Smith and Pocohontas... but of course I need to verify the integrity of the info.... but wouldn't it be neat if it turns out to be true???!!! Dad's perplexed because he'd always been told his family didn't come to the US from Ireland until the early 1800's... so far all the info I've found since the mid-1700's still has them being born in Virginia. Story has it that David's great-grandfather was dropped on the steps of an orphanage... so that side won't be able to be traced back too far. (makes my job easier!!)
I gotta run... you know, "real" work to do : )
Monday, June 04, 2007
Latest Trip
Did you know that Palm Springs, CA is in the desert?? I didn't. Needless to say, I was shocked when I looked out the window of the plane. I knew it was going to be HOT - but not hot and sandy... It really is out in the middle of NOWHERE.
We had our western regional meeting in Palm Springs. The division manager, Brett, has already been told that he'll never be able to outdo himself on this one. It was quite spectacular! It was hot - but DRY. Yummy - heat and dryness. Hell that beats hot and muggy any day of the year! And of course I come home to have to do yardwork on Saturday. Man, I was outside in the yard sweating like a hooker in church! I was only in a bikini too!
Ah, yes, the bikini.... Let's say that I won't wear it in "public" anymore. However, due to the nature of our neighbors I do not consider our front yard as "public". Needless to say I did go out and purchase my first tankini for the previously mentioned regional meeting. There was a bit of lounging by the pool in front of workfolk.
Warning - here's my commentary on appropriate swimwear.
I hardly ever wear a bathing suit. The last suit I bought was several years ago - and it was a bikini. All I own are bikini's. Up until a few years ago I looked ok in them. Now I look as though I'm a chunk of meat being stuffed into a sausage casing. I know this. It's ok. Our bodies change. I'm 31 for god's sake!
Now last summer when we went to the beach for a week I did NOT purchase any new swimwear. 1) I didn't want to spend the $$ on something I never wear 2) It was just in front of my dad, in-laws and the hubby. The hubby has already committed to me so I wasn't worried 3) there was no one else I knew. (or at least I was banking on the fact I wouldn't see anyone I knew... and I didn't. ) Now I didn't look great at the beach - but I don't think I was going to get mistaken for a beached whale, either.
Well, being in a bathing suit in front of people you work with is a different matter. I hit Old Navy and got a nice tankini and skirt cover up for all under $50. I can swing that. I think I made a nice transition into swimwear for the 30's bunch, thank you very much. However, I think someone needs to tell those few out there that didn't get the memo.
Some of us girls were sitting at the pool the day we got there and I saw all kinds of things I didn't want to see. (Why have I been seeing things I don't want to see so often lately???) Now I'm sure that some people at this pool (which was in the resort we were staying in) probably had the same thought process as I did when I went to the beach last year. Who am I here to impress?? Ok - fine - but PLEASE don't wear something that causes people to GAG!!! Yes - I saw the token European in a speedo (or at least I hope he was European.... at least it seems better to swallow if you know they're not American...) and of course - the 275 lb, 5'4" woman in a STRING BIKINI!!! Um, yeah. I didn't want to see that. I'm all for different body shapes, but please dress it appropriately! Just for your sanity (and the fact that you already put up with recent naked pictures) I did not snap a shot of her to post.
Ok. I'm done with my rant. And just for being good I'll post pictures of our cookout we had at the resort on Wednesday nite. Yes folks, I'm here for work... and no, we're not hiring. :)
Dom and Brooke(of kick-boxing fame...) Dom cooked all this GREAT food!!
He grilled this chicken and asparagus. He also had prime rib on one grill and prawns the size of my head an yet another grill! It was a feast!
Here's Denise enjoying a nice adult beverage. And Fred sneaking snacks inteh background...
We had our western regional meeting in Palm Springs. The division manager, Brett, has already been told that he'll never be able to outdo himself on this one. It was quite spectacular! It was hot - but DRY. Yummy - heat and dryness. Hell that beats hot and muggy any day of the year! And of course I come home to have to do yardwork on Saturday. Man, I was outside in the yard sweating like a hooker in church! I was only in a bikini too!
Ah, yes, the bikini.... Let's say that I won't wear it in "public" anymore. However, due to the nature of our neighbors I do not consider our front yard as "public". Needless to say I did go out and purchase my first tankini for the previously mentioned regional meeting. There was a bit of lounging by the pool in front of workfolk.
Warning - here's my commentary on appropriate swimwear.
I hardly ever wear a bathing suit. The last suit I bought was several years ago - and it was a bikini. All I own are bikini's. Up until a few years ago I looked ok in them. Now I look as though I'm a chunk of meat being stuffed into a sausage casing. I know this. It's ok. Our bodies change. I'm 31 for god's sake!
Now last summer when we went to the beach for a week I did NOT purchase any new swimwear. 1) I didn't want to spend the $$ on something I never wear 2) It was just in front of my dad, in-laws and the hubby. The hubby has already committed to me so I wasn't worried 3) there was no one else I knew. (or at least I was banking on the fact I wouldn't see anyone I knew... and I didn't. ) Now I didn't look great at the beach - but I don't think I was going to get mistaken for a beached whale, either.
Well, being in a bathing suit in front of people you work with is a different matter. I hit Old Navy and got a nice tankini and skirt cover up for all under $50. I can swing that. I think I made a nice transition into swimwear for the 30's bunch, thank you very much. However, I think someone needs to tell those few out there that didn't get the memo.
Some of us girls were sitting at the pool the day we got there and I saw all kinds of things I didn't want to see. (Why have I been seeing things I don't want to see so often lately???) Now I'm sure that some people at this pool (which was in the resort we were staying in) probably had the same thought process as I did when I went to the beach last year. Who am I here to impress?? Ok - fine - but PLEASE don't wear something that causes people to GAG!!! Yes - I saw the token European in a speedo (or at least I hope he was European.... at least it seems better to swallow if you know they're not American...) and of course - the 275 lb, 5'4" woman in a STRING BIKINI!!! Um, yeah. I didn't want to see that. I'm all for different body shapes, but please dress it appropriately! Just for your sanity (and the fact that you already put up with recent naked pictures) I did not snap a shot of her to post.
Ok. I'm done with my rant. And just for being good I'll post pictures of our cookout we had at the resort on Wednesday nite. Yes folks, I'm here for work... and no, we're not hiring. :)
Dom and Brooke(of kick-boxing fame...) Dom cooked all this GREAT food!!
He grilled this chicken and asparagus. He also had prime rib on one grill and prawns the size of my head an yet another grill! It was a feast!
Here's Denise enjoying a nice adult beverage. And Fred sneaking snacks inteh background...
Finally - here's Doug (the Mel Gibson look-alike) from Texas and Fred, from MS. He was so excited to find this hat. He swears he can't get a hat like that in Mississippi... See CA is good for something!
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